Developing device for use in electrophotographic copying machines

ABSTRACT

A developing means for applying developing agent to an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic sensitive member wherein the inlet of a developing agent container is directed upwardly and downwardly while attached to the developing device whereby both the supply of new developing agent to the developing device and removal of used developing agent from said developing device are realized.

United States Patent [191 Takahashi et a1.

DEVELOPING DEVICE FOR USE IN ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC COPYING MACHINES Inventors: Isao Takahashi, Kohoku-ku,

Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken; Motoharu Fujii, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Kazuo Kawakubo, l-lino-shi, Tokyo; Masao Ariga, Komae-shi, Tokyo; Susumu Sugiura, Yamato-shi, Tokyo, all of Japan Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo,

Japan Filed: Dec. 23, 1971 Appl. No.: 211,276

Foreign Application Priority Data Dec, 29 1970 Japan 45/127212 US. Cl 355/3, 118/637, 117/17.5 Int. Cl G03g 15/08 Field of Search 355/3; 118/637;

[ Oct. 9, 1973 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,386 5/1963 Sugarman, Jr. 118/637 3,103,445 9/1963 Bogdonoff et al. 118/637 X 3,152,012 10/1964 Schaffert 1l7/17.5 X 3,659,556 5/1972 Mutschler l17/l7.5 X

Primary Examiner-Robert P. Greiner AttorneyJoseph M. Fitzpatrick et al.

[57] ABSTRACT A developing means for applying developing agent to an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic sensitive member wherein the inlet of a developing agent container is directed upwardly and downwardly while attached to the developing device whereby both the supply of new developing agent to the developing device and removal of used developing agent from said developing device are realized.

5 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHBI ems sum 01 0f19 PATENTEU 9 sum U20F19 87 a5 55 as PATENTED 9*973 3.764.208

SHE! 0% 8F 19 FIG. 5

PATENTEB [101 91973 sum as 0F 19 FIG. 6

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sum 08 W19 PATENTED UN 9 I975 SHFH 10 0F 19 PAIENTEUUBT 91m 3.764.208

sum 13 or 19 FIG. l6

PATENIEIJUCI 91m sum 1uuF19 FIG. 17

PATENIEDBEI 1w 3.764.208

SHEU 15 M19 PATENTEDUBT m 3.764.208

sum 18 or 19 ()OOO 

1. In an electronic photographic copying machine, developing means for applying developing agent to an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographically sensitive member comprising: a. a developing chamber; b. a developing agent supply chamber for supplying said developing agent to said developing chamber and for receiving developing agent discharged from said developing chamber. c. a developing agent supply inlet formed at the upper portion of said developing agent supply chamber; d. a developing agent discharge outlet formed at the lower portion of said developing agent supply chamber; e. a developing agent container; f. a moveable member having an opening into which is releasably fitted said developing agent container and which is arranged to coincide alternatively with said developing agent supply inlet thus forming a developing agent supply port or passage between said developing agent container and said developing agent supply chamber, and with said developing agent discharge outlet thus forming a developing agent discharge port or passage between said developing agent container and said developing agent supply chamber; g. means disposed adjacent said developing agent supply inlet for feeding a predetermined amount of developing agent from said deVeloping agent container into said developing agent supply chamber; h. means for selectively transporting developing agent between said developing agent supply chamber and said developing chamber; i. developing agent application means for applying developing agent in said developing chamber to said electrophotographically sensitive member; and j. means for driving said developing agent feeding means, said developing agent transportation means and developing agent application means.
 2. A developing means as set forth in claim 1 wherein said developing agent feeding means comprises a developing agent feed roller having a knurled surface and adapted to rotate and contact with said developing agent supply inlet and a brush roller adapted to rotate and contact with said knurled surface of said feed roller
 3. A developing means as set forth in claim 1 wherein said developing agent transportation means comprises a pair of screw rollers adapted to transport the developing agent in opposite directions and a partition wall which is interposed between said pair of screw rollers and is provided with a plurality of ports for circulating the developing agent.
 4. A developing means as set forth in claim 1 wherein said developing agent application means comprises magnet brushes.
 5. A developing means as set forth in claim 1 wherein said developing agent supply chamber having the developing agent supply inlet and said developing agent discharge outlet comprises a cylinder having said inlet and said outlet formed through the wall thereof; and said movable member is a cylinder fitted over said first mentioned cylinder. 